Could the rotary engine see new life as a range extender?

Your next rotary-powered sports car could be electric

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

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Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

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Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

Share

Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

Share

Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

Share

Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

Share

Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

Share

Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

Share

Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

Share

Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

Share

Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

Share

Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

Share

Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

Share

Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

Share

Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

Share

Mazda

The Mazda RX Vision debuted at the Tokyo show with the new SkyActiv-R rotary engine concept.

There might not be a vehicle on the market powered by a rotary engine anymore, but the Wankel is far from dead. Mazda, a champion for the mill since the success of the Mazda Cosmo in 1967, has teased enthusiasts since the rotary's departure in 2012, most recently with the RX Vision concept in 2015. Dreams of a new Mazda sports car with rotary power under the hood were quickly dashed, though.

In a December 2016 interview with Automotive News, Mazda CEO Masamichi Kogai said any development of a rotary engine in the future would be for use as a range extender in an electric vehicle. He also said there was zero development taking place on any rotary-powered car.

This makes sense. A rotary engine is too inefficient for today’s fuel economy and emission standards -- barring some miraculous rollback. However, their power-to-weight ratio, simplicity, smoothness and compact size make them perfect candidates for use as EV range extenders.